testimonials

"hear what the best have to say …"

[ thanks for the kind words ]

AAMI Stadium, Melbourne, Cox Architecture

“Fiona specifically managed Cox Richardson, the NSW State entity of the company.

She has shown incredible enthusiasm and devotion to the task that has not been easy due to the diversity of professional disciplines and the distribution of our office population throughout Australia and overseas.

She has humour and resilience in dealing with difficult issues related to her work involving marketing, recruitment, production, staff and client relations.

She has shown particular adeptness in managing Human Resources within difficult and often egocentric groups of people.

She has partaken and organised social occasions both internally and externally that interfaced all levels of staff and maintained a happy and socially adjusted group of people at all levels.

She was respected by our clients and was able to move with ease within Government and private enterprise circles.”

“I've worked with Fiona over the last 5 years through our mutual association with the Institute of Architects Large Practice Forum HR Committee, of which I am Chair.

Fiona's participation on the Committee has been invaluable bringing a level of expertise and down to earth practicality in sharing and discussing complex HR and practice issues uniquely inherent to architecture and design.

Her knowledge and approach of addressing the complexities of working through the day to day issues of practice management are innovative, consultative and refreshing. Her tenacity is of benefit in all realms of professional, multi-disciplinary practice.”

“Being a small practice but with substantial residential projects Fiona was a great help providing advice on people management and compliance.

I found Fiona's approach, experience and advice invaluable as I moved from a sole practitioner to a small practice.

She led me through the intricacies of becoming an employer, bringing all the critical information to the table in a comprehensive and clear manner. It would have been a confusing process without her and I am now confident that I have the correct polices, safety and compliance checks in place if anything ever does go wrong.

Fiona provided all the necessary documentation for onboarding new staff. She gave sound salary packaging advice options and prepared employment and flexible working arrangement agreements and new company policies.

She is incredibly organised, efficient and easy to work with and I highly recommend her to any practice of any size in need of staff management and compliance assistance.”

After initially advising on new Fair Work changes and reviewing our employment agreements Fiona has been on call to us for the last 5 years. She is always easily reached for the simplest business question and responds quickly.

Fiona is a great manager and knows her stuff. She is experienced, ethical and reliable.

Time is always against a small practice and Fiona has also helped us with some special project management tasks.

Her insight into they way architects and designers work helps her to bring a unique perspective to managing a design office.

Her own creativity and resourcefulness is a match with the way we work.”

“Since the formation of Redgen Mathieson in 2010, we have been fortunate to have the support and guidance of some key experts.

Fiona has been one of these invaluable people and has worked with us from the beginning, assisting us with the establishment of our policies and procedures, human resources, and work health and safety.

Fiona has assisted us, not only with compliance issues, but has also worked with us in a business-mentoring role. Fiona’s extensive experience in the architecture sector has enabled her to understand the nuances of our studio and her solutions have been appropriate to our needs and evolving business.

She is highly personable, and brings a keen focus to both day to day issues of management and high level business direction.”

“I have worked with Fiona in my previous capacity as Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board.

Over the years Fiona has been a strong advocate and supporter of graduates attaining Registration and in particular encouraging female architects to Register and to sit as Examiners for the Board.

Fiona’s excellent networks in architectural practices meant that she was able to provide valuable input to the Board’s connections with architectural firms.

Fiona contributed practical advice from the employer’s perspective to the ARB’s Architecture Insights education initiative ‘Transition to Registration’ – a multi-media online resource designed to assist graduates to make the transition to Registration.”

“The Sydney Architecture Festival is an annual fortnight long event of talks, tours and exhibitions across the city.

The NSW Chapter of the Institute regularly curates “Open Studio Tours” during the Festival, and through COX’s participation, Fiona ran the information sessions and public tours through the offices of one of Australia’s largest architectural practices in the CBD.

Feedback from the public is these tours are always fascinating and informative and are so popular they book out each year.”

Roslyn IronsPast NSW Chapter Manager, AIA

“Fiona was invited to participate in the University’s ‘Media and Marketing Module’ as part of a series of double line up guest panel presentations and discussions.

These discussions gave students real life examples of architectural marketing and public relations in practice.

Fiona’s presentation provided students with an understanding of how media + communications strategies, brand development, networking, strategic alliances and projecting a consistent message, go hand in hand with design in the practice of architecture.”